Mata is mediocre but a useful squaddie.He can't come off the bench and change the game, but we need a decent squad to cover for injuries.We can't expect to have 22 top quality players. We need the average joes in Mata and Herrera.It's the liabilities like Jones, Smalling and Rojo that need going.

Indeed Swampster. Matic has been superb. Still need a Modric/Vidal type there though one thinks. Cant get too giddy about Pogs performances of late because we haven't really played any cunt. But giving him that chance to wander and probe is certainly where he looks most dangerous. But have we got the brains to mop up sensibly when it breaks down. That's the issue. I think Matic may be bordering on burn out. He's got through a huge amount of work looking after the pricks in defence. I'd be much more comfortable seeing Smalling and probably Jones shipped out to Boro or West Brom, and two quality defenders come in.